ANKARA - Turkey is getting ready to host a Russian leader for the first time after 32 years of interval. Ankara attributes great importance to Putin's visit.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet Nikolay Podgorniy's was the highest level visit from Russia to Turkey in 1972.
The visit has a particular importance for both countries as it coincides with a period when Turkish-Russian relations improved; commercial and economic relations progressed; and when important developments were recorded in international arena.
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is expected to visit Moscow after Putin's visit to Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to pay a visit to Moscow during the year.

-WHAT TOPS THE AGENDA?
Commercial and economic relations between the two countries, as well as regional and international issues are expected to be discussed during Putin's visit to Ankara.
Sources said bilateral relations gained momentum recently, stating that many high level visits were made reciprocally.
Sources noted that relations with Russian Federation; and developments in Caucasus and Central Asian republics will be negotiated during President Putin's visit. ''Issue of energy will be another important topic of discussion during talks,'' sources stressed.
Turkish side is expected to mention the balance which is not in favor of Turkey in bilateral trade. Meanwhile the Russian side says this imbalance is overcome thanks to contractor services by Turkish firms in Russia and large number of Russian tourists visiting Turkey spend enough to redress the imbalance.
Tanker traffic in the Straits will also be one of the most important topics that would be discussed at the talks. Ankara is expected to remind that 135 million tons of oil passed through the straits per year, and state that this figure would rise by 50 percent in 2010 when Kazakh oil will also be sent through Turkish straits. Ankara will stress that it would be impossible for the Straits to endure this traffic.
Giving the message that it is open to all alternative projects that would spare the Straits, Ankara will urge all the firms to abide by alternative projects, sources said.
As Russian side expresses the difficulties encountered by its sailors, Ankara will express visa difficulties for Turkish citizens in Russian border gates and airports. Ankara will also call for a facilitated and simplified visa system to be put into practice for Turkish citizens.

-RUSSIAN GAS TO EUROPE VIA TURKEY-

During the talks in Ankara, shipping of Russian gas to Europe via Blue Stream pipeline will be another topic of discussion.
In a meeting which Erdogan had with Putin in 2002, Putin had asked for shipping of Russian gas to Europe via Blue Stream pipeline, but this issue was not discussed anymore.
Chechen separatists, and issues pertaining to terrorist PKK/Kongra Gel organization are also expected to be on the table during the talks. Topics for discussion would also include Caucasus, Middle East and Iraq. On the other hand, both Moscow and Ankara are supporting the idea that the United Nations (UN) should have a leading role in Iraq.
Putin is expected to maintain his insistence for the Russian-Israeli made ''Erdogan'' helicopter, one of the prospective candidates for the attack helicopter tender called by the Turkish Armed Forces.

-DOCUMENTS TO BE SIGNED-

A joint declaration on deepening friendship and multifaceted partnership is the first document expected to be signed during President Putin's visit.
''Agreement on prevention of dangerous incidents beyond the territorial waters (of the two countries),'' which has a military quality, is also expected to be signed. The agreement envisages cooperation in case a military ship sinks or in case of a dangerous situation arises.
Another military agreement planned to be signed is the ''Protection of intellectual and industrial property rights'' exchanged within the scope of bilateral military technical cooperation between Turkey and Russia.
BOTAS and GAZPROM are expected to sign a framework agreement in energy sector. This agreement envisages cooperation in areas like gas procurement, construction of gas depots and gas distribution.
A memorandum of understanding, regarding cooperation between Turkish Foreign Ministry Strategic Researches Center and Russian Federation Diplomacy Academy is among the documents which are planned to be signed.
A cooperation protocol between Turkish and Russian Eximbank and Vnesekonombank is also expected to be signed. This protocol will be put into force in third countries, mainly central and western Asian republics, and aims to encourage export of Turkish and Russian capital goods.

-PROGRAM-

Russian President Putin is expected to arrive in Ankara on September 2nd. Putin's program has not finalized yet. He will start his program by visiting the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Modern Turkish Republic. He will later be welcomed by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer with military honors.
A joint statement will be made public following talks between the delegations of the two countries and signing of various agreements and documents.
Putin will afterwards receive Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and both men will proceed to Aegean city of Izmir after finishing their negotiations.
Putin will meet Turkish and Russian businessmen the same day and will depart from Turkey in a Russian warship.
Putin will be accompanied by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.
(AY-ULG) 31.08.2004